Driving Cost from Cambridge, Ontario to St. Thomas, Ontario

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of a Trip between Cambridge and St. Thomas: Navigating Ontario's Roadways

Ontario is a beautiful province, full of lush forests, sparkling lakes, and bustling cities. For those traveling from Cambridge to St. Thomas, the journey can be both scenic and practical. But with so many different routes to choose from, a traveler's budget and time constraints can determine which path they take. In this article, we'll explore the various routes and transportation expenses associated with taking a trip between the two Ontario cities.

Route Options

Highway 401

This is the most common route for those travelling from Cambridge to St. Thomas. The 401, also known as the Macdonald–Cartier Freeway, is the primary east-west freeway in Southern Ontario and is a major component of the National Highway System. This route spans roughly 92 kilometres from Cambridge to St. Thomas and takes around an hour to complete.

Highway 8 and 24

For those who prefer a less populated or scenic route, consider taking Highway 8 and 24. This route is slightly longer, with a length of approximately 108 kilometres and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach one’s destination. Highway 8 takes a traveler through various towns such as Puslinch and Wellington North, and takes one through the heart of Kitchener-Waterloo. Highway 24 runs adjacent to Lake Erie and boasts of a more relaxed and scenic drive than the 401.

Highway 403 and 401

This route combines the 401 with the 403, which takes travelers through the heart of Hamilton's bustling city centre. This route is perfect for those looking for a short excursion to grab a bite or shop. For those who opt for this route, they can expect to travel around 126 kilometers and take approximately an hour and 40 minutes to reach St. Thomas.

The Cost of Transportation

Gas Prices

There are many fluctuations in gas prices. Currently, (as of August 2021) the gas prices range from CAD 1.45-1.49 per litre on average. With a fuel-efficient car that can travel approximately 10 kilometres per litre of gas, let's calculate the cost of transportation for each of the routes mentioned earlier:

  • Highway 401: With a distance of 92 kilometres, one can expect to use approximately 9.2 litres of gas. This would cost approximately CAD 13.88 at CAD 1.49 per litre, one way.
  • Highway 8 and 24: With an extra 16 kilometres for this route, one can expect to use approximately 10.8 litres of gas. This would cost approximately CAD 16.15 at CAD 1.49 per litre, one way.
  • Highway 403 and 401: With a distance of 126 kilometres, one can expect to use approximately 12.6 litres of gas. This would cost approximately CAD 18.79 at CAD 1.49 per litre, one way.

Tolls

Notably, there are no toll booths along any of these routes, which means no toll fees for traveling.

Ride-sharing Cost

For those who don’t want to drive they can consider using ride-sharing options such as Uber or Lyft. These ride-sharing services have a cost estimation feature on their applications. Based on the cost estimation feature, the cost of individual trips using Uber or Lyft for the routes mentioned earlier are as follows:

  • Highway 401: Using Uber, the cost would be approximately CAD 110-140 one way. Using Lyft, the cost would be approximately CAD 130-170 one way.
  • Highway 8 and 24: Using Uber, the cost would be approximately CAD 120-150 one way. Using Lyft, the cost would be approximately CAD 140-175 one way.
  • Highway 403 and 401: Using Uber, the cost would be approximately CAD 140-180 one way. Using Lyft, the cost would be approximately CAD 165-215 one way.

Conclusion

The most cost-effective route would be Highway 401, as not only is it the most direct one, but also the shortest and cheapest option when it comes to fuel. The route is perfect for those who are on a tight budget or are in a hurry to reach St. Thomas. Highway 8 and 24, however, offer a more scenic route, but this comes at an additional cost when it comes to fuel consumption. On the other hand, if travelers are looking for an adventure while moving from Cambridge to St. Thomas, the combination of highways 403 and 401 is the best option.

Whichever route you prefer, the drive is relatively quick and inexpensive as long as the traveler is prepared with cost-effective gas and the proper driving equipment. Now that you have seen the various transportation options, it’s time to hit the road. Safe travels!